What’s Cooking ? Cooke Center News Summer 2009
Cooke Center for Learning and Development
Volume 6, Issue 2
Cooke’s Seniors and Juniors Set Sail for PROM! Seniors and Juniors made history at the Cooke Center Academy on May 29 when they danced the night away at the school’s first-ever prom.
Inside this issue: Message from Dr. Termini
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Preschool Update
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Off-site Education
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New Friends of Cooke Summer Soirée 4 Lower and Middle School Awards Day
After dinner, students, parents and staff grooved to the tunes of a fantastic DJ on Cooke’s own private deck. More prom photos on page 6!
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CCA Commencement and Prom Photos 6 Students and Staff 7 Recognize Corporate Supporters “There’s No Place Like Cooke!” CCA Players perform the Wizard of Oz
Excited and ready to celebrate, students boarded the Spirit of New York ship at Chelsea Piers at 7:30 and set sail at 8 for a dinner cruise around the tip of Manhattan.
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20 and 30-somethings Come Out to Celebrate Cooke Cooke’s younger generation of supporters gathered under the stars at a chic downtown party that raised more than $35,000 for the Road to Independence Campaign. The New Friends of Cooke Summer Soirée drew 400 guests to the Tribeca Rooftop on June 17, where revelers enjoyed great food and cocktails while catch-
ing up with friends and former classmates. “The party was a huge success. All of our friends had a great time, and they were really interested in learning more about Cooke,” said Charles Miller, son of Cooke Board member and founder Roger Miller and brother of Nicky Miller, one of Cooke’s first students who Charles Miller, David Robards and Ian passed away two years ago. Miller thank guests for their support. Cont’d on page 4
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What’s Cooking
President’s Message: A Time for Rest and Learning Graduation, award ceremonies, and the other celebrations that mark the end of the school year are now behind us. They brought an end to a wonderful year of learning and growth; the result of much hard work on the part of our students, faculty, and parents. Now all can enjoy a much deserved summer vacation. Dr. Michael Termini President
Summer is a perfect time for rest, relaxation, and the kind of learning that occurs naturally. It
is a time for reading magical stories, for running and climbing, for taking time to work at our hobbies, or to learn about nature by watching the ants crawl about our picnic crumbs. The skills we develop through these opportunities are vital to helping a child move forward along the road to independence, and an essential companion to the learning that has gone on throughout the school year.
I wish each of you a summer filled with rest, fun, and lots of learning.
Michael
Preschool Update
“Our work at the Harlem Children’s Zone has been a tremendous success.” Tina Wells Head of Preschool Services
Cooke’s Preschool has made great strides in the 2008-2009 school year, starting new programs and serving more and more children.
Cooke. “The program started from scratch and we now have 45 children receiving a range of services, including special education, family and individual counseling, occupational and physical therapy, and speech.”
Last fall, Cooke formed a partnership with the Harlem Children’s Zone, (photos below) one Also uptown, Cooke’s West of New York City’s most sucHarlem Head Start program cessful children’s programs. heads into summer having run an inclusive preschool class“Our work at the Harlem Chilroom, providing direct services dren’s Zone has been a tremento children who needed them, dous success,” said Tina Wells, and trained teachers in best Head of Preschool Services at
practices in inclusive education. Cooke also provided many community workshops in West Harlem this year, including “How to Develop your Child’s Love of Reading,” and “Increasing Financial Independence.” This year for the first time, Cooke facilitated a men’s support workshop. After a site visit to both of Cooke’s Harlem programs, Cooke received a new grant from The Warner Fund for $25,000! South of Harlem, Cooke’s partnership with City and Country preschool has been strengthened by a new consulting component led by one of Cooke’s seasoned SEITs (Special Education Itinerant Teacher). And Cooke’s Brooklyn staff reached double the number of children and continued to present valuable workshops like the wellattended “Improving Communication between School Staff and Parents.”
Preschoolers at the Harlem Children’s Zone.
The Brooklyn team also presented a series of Saturday workshops in the Brownsville neighborhood at the request of Assemblyman William Boyland.
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Off Site Education = Learning and Fun ower and middle schoolers enhanced their classroom learning this year with fun and educational field trips throughout the City.
All students visited one of the City’s zoos. Level I and II students at Corpus Christi visited the Central Park Zoo, where they were thrilled to see the penguins being fed, watch the polar bears swim, and feed the animals in the petting zoo. Students in other sites visited the Bronx Zoo. Level III had the task of categorizing the animals according to what continent they live in, while other levels had assignments connected to their science lessons. Many of our classes were the lucky participants in a guided tour of the new Yankee Stadium– including the dugout! Other off-site education experiences included a New York Road Runners “Running Day” on Randall Island with the Mighty Milers fitness program (as part of Cooke’s Healthy Living curriculum), and a trip to see the film “Earth.”
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What’s Cooking
20 and 30-Somethings Celebrate Cooke (cont’d from Page 1) Tickets were sold on-line via Facebook, personal e-mails and a virtual invitation. Charles and his brother Ian founded New Friends of Cooke just after Nicky’s passing, when the group ran a 5K race to benefit Cooke in Nicky’s honor. Interest in a young professionals group was revitalized with the Adeona Foundation's hoedown benefit party for Cooke last fall. The foundation is run by five young men in their 20s (pictured below) who have a personal connection to Cooke through Charles Miller.
Along with Charles, Ian and members of the Adeona Foundation, the New Friends of Cooke Gala Committee included young professionals from NASDAQ, Hogan & Hartson, and The Moody's Foundation. Cooke Center alum David Robards joined Charles and Ian in thanking the crowd for their support. They also presented a video highlighting our students and their accomplishments. Corporate sponsors included News Corporation; Greenberg Traurig; Hogan & Hartson; Kasowitz, Benson, Torres &
Friedman LLP; Bryan Cave; Gilt Groupe and Moody’s. Charles, Ian and Chris Quick of Adeona helped put the event in the spotlight with a June 16 appearance on “Fox and Friends,” which highlighted the event and the Cooke Center in general. The video can be seen on Cooke’s Web site, www.cookecenter.org. “We couldn’t have asked for a better night,” said Charles. “Everyone is already looking forward to the next party!”
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Awards Day Recognizes Students’ Strengths Parents and staff beamed with pride as they celebrated the many accomplishment of Cooke’s Lower and Middle Schoolers at the June 15 Awards Ceremony held at 475 Riverside Drive. Students collected awards for being everything from a “sensational storyteller” to “most improved reader” before digging in to a pizza lunch and enjoying a performance by a funny, magical clown. The event also marked a change in leadership for the Lower and Middle Schools. Veronica Cook will be leaving her post as Head of School, though
she’ll be staying on to consult with Cooke part time.
a bit about what Cooke has meant to their families.
Her parting message to students? “Always do your best,” she said. “If you do your best all of your gifts are going to come through.”
Aya Hasegawa said she’s seen great improvement in her son, Miro, a first-year level I Cooke student. “He can solve emotional problems better than before,” she said, “and he loves the school!”
Taking over as head of the lower and middle schools will be Laura Inzalaco-Hopkins, who brings extensive experience working with children with a high level of need. “I look forward to next year and getting to know all of you,” she told the students. Parents took the opportunity to mingle with each other and talk
Ryan Annecco’s mom also noted huge strides in her middle schooler who had struggled in public school. “Now, she genuinely loves to go to school. As soon as she’s off the bus, her books are out and she’s doing her homework. She even does extra credit assignments with no prompting!” said Penny Annecco. “She is 100 percent more independent!”
(clockwise from top middle) Cooke President Michael Termini presents a thank you gift to former Head of Lower and Middle School Veronica Cooke; Level I student Miro Hasegawa with his mom, Aya Hasega; Level III student Keedondre Butler and his mom Cynthia Butler; Jadin Martin and Diamond Gurley enjoying the show; Wesley Wylie with some feathered friends; Laura Inzalaco-Hopkins, new Head of Lower and Middle School; Sarah Bieber with her mom, Ellen Bickal. Center: Middle Schooler Ryan Annecco with her parents Penny and Joe Annecco. Below: Grace Yang presents Maxine Hickey with her copy of Magic Secrets.
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What’s Cooking
CCA celebrates Commencement for First Full Class of Seniors Cooke celebrated its first full senior class with at an emotional and exuberant commencement and awards ceremony on June 10. This class was the first to begin their high school career at the Cooke Center Academy, which opened in 2005. “Together we created a school,” CCA Head of School Mary Munsch told students and parents, “and what a school we created.” Commencement signifies beginning, and for all of Cooke’s seniors, the ceremony marked a
new beginning in their lives. Some will go to college programs for students with disabilities. Others will start in job training programs. Still others will continue their career at CCA, working to further prepare for an independent future. One thing is certain: wherever life may take this year’s seniors, they will always have a very special place in Cooke’s history.
Juniors and Seniors Set Sail for PROM! (cont’d from page 1)
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COOKE RECOGNIZES CORPORATE SUPPORTERS CCA’s Transition Office Named for The Moody’s Foundation From now on, planning for life after high school will take place in the newly named Moody's Foundation Transition Office at the Cooke Center Academy! At a June 1 ceremony at the Academy, Cooke named the transition office for Moody's to recognize their extraordinary generosity to Cooke’s students over the years. The Moody's Foundation has supported CCA's Transition to Life program ― which provides students with the experience and guidance they need for a bright, independent future. CCA students were on hand to talk about their internships, and about why they love Cooke. The
number one reason? The staff.
$700,000 since 2003.
"All of the teachers are really great. They're friendly, and they're patient with us," said senior Ashley Goris. Next year Ashley will attend Landmark College, a school for students with learning disabilities in Vermont. While at CCA she interned at the law offices of Hogan & Hartson and worked with children at the 92nd Street Y.
Fran Laserson, president of The Moody's Foundation, told the students that Moody’s has been proud to support them. "We love Cooke!" she said.
The Moody's Foundation has made it possible for Cooke to hire the social workers and other staff needed to develop Cooke's unique Transition to Life program, and the curriculum that supports it. The foundation has given Cooke
Also there to celebrate was Lisa Westlake, chief human resources officer at Moody's and Cooke's newest board member. As the ceremony came to a close, Cooke's President Dr. Michael Termini announced, "We can now officially name this office The Moody's Foundation Transition Office at the Cooke Center Academy!"
Moody's executives Perry Rotella, Fran Laserson, Linda Huber and Lisa Westlake join CCA students and one alumnus for the Moody's Transition Office naming.
CCA Wins Basketball Game, Receives $20,000 Grant from CVS Just before the CCA basketball team beat Columbia/Dalton Prep 91 to 77 on May 21, the players got a little extra encouragement: A $20,000 grant from CVS Charitable Trust!
Sixth Avenue?" he asked, as quite a few hands shot up. Dr. Termini also mentioned that students may have an opportunity to do an internship at CVS in the coming months.
Robert Schwartz, CVS' district sales manager from New York, presented a giant check to the players and staff. He was joined by Michael Termini, Cooke's president.
Things soon heated up on the court with seniors Isaiah Luciano (22 points--10 rebounds and 9 assists) and Aaron Ellis (14 points--12 rebounds and 6 assists) leading the team to victory just as they had throughout their careers at CCA. Their presence on the team will be greatly missed next year.
Dr. Termini reminded the students that many had visited CVS as part of their Off-Site Education program. "How many of you have been to the CVS on
CCA's win was no doubt made easier by some foot-stomping encouragement from their cheerleaders. "Put that ball in the hoop, hoop," they shouted, waving their pom-poms and having a great time. The opposing team was made up of players from both Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School and The Dalton School. Columbia Prep student David Neff, family friend of Cooke founding parents Karen and Tom Robards, organized the team.
Above: CCA Cheerleader Christina Charles. Below from left: CVS’ Robert Schwartz join CCA players and Michael Termini in presenting a giant check; CCA cheerleaders warming up; senior Isaiah Luciano gets ready to shoot.
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The Cooke Center for Learning and Development is the largest private provider of inclusive special education services in New York City, offering preschool programs, a K-12 school and consulting services that support inclusive learning environments.
Visit our new Web site! w w w.cookecenter.org
There’s No Place Like Cooke! When the Cooke Center Academy Players began rehearsing for the Wizard of Oz, they weren’t sure they'd be able to see it through to opening night. In May.
voice, Sam wasn’t confident he’d earn a major role in the show. “I thought I was going to be someone else,” said the over six-foot senior. “I thought maybe I’d be a munchkin.”
“They weren’t sure they’d be able to memorize, and they’re memorizing, they weren’t sure they could sing, and they can sing,” Bethany Chase, Transition Department chair at CCA, said during rehearsals. “Basically they weren’t sure they could pull it off, and they’re awesome.”
Not only did he sing his way into audience’s hearts, he boosted his own courage along the way. In the midst of rehearsals, he applied and was accepted to the Berkshire Hills Music Academy, a program for musically gifted students with disabilities.
“I think part of him realizing that that was something he Like the story’s characters, really wanted to pursue came Cooke students had to learn for about because of how good it themselves that their inner gifts made him feel to be in Wizard would carry them where they of Oz rehearsals,” said Ms. want to go. This was the case Chase. for Sam Montgomery, a.k.a. the To watch a video about the Tin Man. making of the Wizard of Oz, visit www.cookecenter.org. Despite his incredible tenor
Top: Nagisa Mikami, Sam Montgomery, Ashley Goris, Jake Waltuck. Middle: Indika Rickman, Britney Ventura, Christina Charles , Bianca Vega. Right: Emanuel Pinkhasov